Joe Calomino- We've often heard the expression "that was clear as mud" after an explanation of something, and I can't think of a better way to describe the workings of state government in recent years.

WASHINGTON — With the Congressional bans on offshore drilling and shale oil exploration set to expire at midnight tonight, the free-market grassroots group Americans for Prosperity (AFP) today called for fast-tracking government leases for energy exploration to help spur job creation and economic growth. The group will hold an energy rally with hundreds of its members in front of the Capitol reflecting pool on October 10, 2008, at 2:30 p.m. to emphasize market-based solutions to energy challenges.

WASHINGTON — Americans for Prosperity President Tim Phillips today released the following statement in response to reports that House Democratic leaders plan to attach a provision that would permanently ban drilling on the vast majority of the Outer Continental Shelf to a last-minute spending bill:

WASHINGTON — The free-market grassroots group Americans for Prosperity today said that the apparent reversal of Democratic Congressional leaders on the issue of domestic energy production would mark a "huge victory" for American motorists, a "stunning defeat" for environmental extremists and their allies in Congress. News reports indicate that after initially attempting to stealthily attach what's been described as a "sham" drilling proposal to a last-minute spending bill, Congressional leaders have now removed that provision and will allow the bans on offshore drilling and oil shale development to expire as scheduled on Oct. 1 — next Wednesday.